New House 'rainbow coalition' emerges
Less than a week after it was
formed, the "Duterte coaiition"
has emerged as the new "rainbow
coalition" in the House of Repre-
sentatives, winning the support of
dozens of congressmen from vari-
ous political blocs and expecting a
minimum 250 supporters in the
chamber when voting for House
Speaker bkes places in less than
three week.
Caloocan CiW Rep. Along Malapi:
bnreveaied that many members of
PDP-Laban, to which he belongs,
have signed up to declare support
for the Duterte Coalition that was
formed just last week by the Hug-
pong ng Pagbabago and the Hug-
pong ng Tawong Lungsod headed
. by siblings Davao gty Mayor Sard
Duterte and Rep. Paolo Duterte,
respectively.
The Duterte Coalition is backing
Davao City Rep. Isido Ungab as its
bet for House speaker. parties hqve vowed
Reps. Alfredo Garbin (Ako Bicol
parqlist) and Nina Taduran (ACI-
CIS parwlist) confirmed that
good number of members of the
Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc.,
.
second largest political bloc in lhe
House, have expressed support for
the Duterte Coaliton. -
Garbtn and laduran are PLFI
spokespersons but spoke in their
own individual capacities.
\his is a new rainbow coalition
that is quickly shaping up in the
House of Representatives," said
Garbin, recalling the minbow coali-
tion that was formed by former
House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia
Jr. in order to unite behind the legis-
lative agenda of the administration
and make a common stand in the
apeakership race.
Malapitan said congressmen
belonging to at leaslthree political
to back the
Duterte Coalition.
The PDP-Laban leadership has
a yet to issue a statement on the
Current political developments in
the House. The administration party
which has84 members in the House
has reached a party stand to back
Marinduque Rep. LordAllan Velasco
ibr House speaker.
Garbin said the PCFI will meet
today to determine who among its
members have thrown their support
to the Dutert€ Coalition and decide
on their on the House speakership
issue.
"Majority members'of the PCFI
expressed their support for the
newly formed Duterte Coalition. I
joined them so as to resolve the
issue of speakership which might
cause delay in the delivery of pub-
lic service," said Taduran. (Ben
Rosario) ?l|a|€ 3